So there's a petrol station not far from my place that has relatively cheap petrol, if you could call any petrol cheap these days. They have a 10% ethanol mixture, as well as a 94 octane 10% ethanol one. I'm not sure whether their 'premium' contains ethanol or not. So anway, what are you thoughts on ethanol fuel? Does it screw your car or is it all good? As far as I know, it's ok in most cars, and Holden have ackowledged it will be 'satisfactory' in commodore's from VL onwards I think.
United petrol stations are the only ones in Australia that actually label their fuel as containing 10% Ethanol. At the moment the United chain of petrol stations arnt quite as promonent as the major brands so it could be a little more difficult to source. Its usually 3c cheaper and has a higher octane level (usually 94) than regualr unleaded. It seems to make the car run smoother also. The only problem being there hasnt been many (if any) long term practical tests on the use of Ethanol fuel, and its effects on the engine or fuel systems on vehicles. Apart from this it seems to have had no adverse signs so far. So looks as though Ethanol is the way of the not so distance future. Well for now at least.
One point on economics of ethanol. Ethanol has a calorific value 30% less than ULP. Therefore, E10 (10% ethanol) has a calorific value 3% less than ULP. Therefore, E10 will give 3% lower mileage than ULP. E10 tends to be about 3% cheaper than ULP (ignoring supermarket vouchers). Thus E10 is generally not cheaper, but close to the same cost per kilometre.
We had a problem with ethanol in our VT commodore a few years ago. We got a bad batch through Woolies and after time it clogged the fuel pump and filters and starved the engine... Apparently that was due to an "unusual" level of ethanol, but I wont use it since. Really doesn't seem that much more appealing anyway cos the price fluctuates so much you might pay $1.28 for ethanol then the next day Unleaded goes down t0 $1.22... Anyways, each to their own...
Tests were recently done on a News/Current Affairs show of four identical cars in a controlled environment using PULP, ULP, E5 and E10. The cars run out of petrol in the order previously listed. So I not sure that your figures are that correct. :flame: How knows, It may have been rigged to help promote Ethanol blend fuels.:w00t:
The tests that BT1 VR refered to said that by their calculation it would cost $10 less to fill a tank and you would get about 400kms more. Interesting, needs more research tho.
News vs Facts? Since when have facts been relevant to any news item? Even the promoters of ethanol acknowledge the 30% lower calorific value.
I don't agree with the whole ethanol thing. My oldie is a mechanic and has been for over 20years, he has so many cars come in with problems due to **** fuel. especially that safeway fuel. Once they change fuels, problems disappear. Ethanol also eats at certain plastics, ive heard of certain cars running ethanol and it ate at the fuel pump, after 3 new fuel pumps, they were told it was coz of the ethanol petrol, once they stopped using ethanol, didnt do a fuel pump since. It apparently also eats at other plastics within the engine. Ethanol fuel cant be used in motorbikes with plastic tanks and it cant be used in 2 stroke engines and apparently you get less econemy out of it and they say will only save 4 cents a litre so is it really worth it. My opinion is no. But hey, i run on gas! If its gonna cause all these problems, then id rather pay the extra money for good fuel personally.
I find the fuel issue type overall as a 'who knows' issue.Very good point! The comments already expressed show merit with the fuel tests and types though. However i have been going along with the fuel burn colour noted on vehicles sparkplugs> Some vehicles on ulp burn white and only breakdown within the sparkplug to need renewal .[approx 15000 -20000 kms]*same servo fuel used*Fuel use reasonable Some burn a brown colour all down the porcelain and this cannot be cleaned off with sandblasting.Hence they are shorting out. This condition is on light loaded 4wd's V6'sToyota.[ULP - ..different local servos fuel..what ulp/mixture combination??]]*heavy foot acceleration was known to cause this colour**Fuel use unreasonable but welcome to the commercial world I guess. Some vehicles burn grey/black on platinum plugs [eg focus 1,8L] and are on town light running from 2 local servos fuel .A build up on each plug electrode of "carbon material"occurs within 10,000kms,which cleans off with sandblasting .....conclusion>> WHAT IS OUR FUEL MAKEUP?????
